While 2020 might not have gone exactly as carmakers would have wanted, a couple of of them still launched new models this year itself, rather than pushing them to next year. We need to take most of them for our real-world fuel efficiency runs and because the year involves an end, we’ve prepared an inventory of the highest 10 most fuel-efficient petrol models. Take a look:
| Rank | Model | Our City Result | Our Highway Result |
| 1 | Maruti S-Presso MT | 19.33kmpl | 21.88kmpl |
| 2 | Honda City CVT | 16.28kmpl | 20.62kmpl |
| 3 | Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Turbo | 16.18kmpl | 20.29kmpl |
| 4 | VW Polo TSI MT | 15.16kmpl | 17.21kmpl |
| 5 | Hyundai Aura Turbo | 14.71kmpl | 20.44kmpl |
| 6 | VW Polo TSI AT | 14.05kmpl | 17.69kmpl |
| 7 | Skoda Rapid AT | 13.67kmpl | 17.30kmpl |
| 8 | Skoda Rapid TSI MT | 12.79kmpl | 17.13kmpl |
| 9 | VW Vento TSI AT | 12.45kmpl | 16.52kmpl |
| 10 | Renault Triber AMT | 12.36kmpl | 14.83kmpl |
Renault Triber AMT
ARAI Claimed Fuel Efficiency: 18.29kmpl
Tested City Fuel Efficiency: 12.36kmpl
Tested Highway Fuel Efficiency: 14.83kmpl
Average Of City And Highway Efficiency: 13.59kmpl
Price (AMT-equipped variants): Rs 6.29 lakh to Rs 7.34 lakh
While Renault launched its crossover sub-4m MPV in 2019, its AMT-equipped variants were introduced in 2020. The carmaker offers the AMT gearbox altogether variants, apart from the base-spec RXE. It comes mated to a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that belts out 72PS and 96Nm. This powertrain setup has ensured the Triber AMT gets a spot within the top 10 most fuel-efficient cars we tested in 2020.
VW Vento TSI AT
ARAI Claimed Fuel Efficiency: 16.35kmpl
Tested City Fuel Efficiency: 12.45kmpl
Tested Highway Fuel Efficiency: 16.52kmpl
Average Of City And Highway Fuel Efficiency: 14.48kmpl
Price: Rs 8.93 lakh to Rs 13.39 lakh
Volkswagen is one among those few brands that now offer petrol-only offerings since the BS6 norms came into effect. This led to the Vento gaining a replacement 1.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine (110PS/175Nm), replacing the previously offered 1.6-litre MPI and 1.2-litre TSI units. It comes mated to either a 6-speed MT or a 6-speed AT gearbox. The AT-equipped Vento features a claimed fuel efficiency of 16.35kmpl that puts the sedan at the 9th spot within the above table.
Skoda Rapid TSI MT
ARAI Claimed Fuel Efficiency: 18.97kmpl
Tested City Fuel Efficiency: 12.79kmpl
Tested Highway Fuel Efficiency: 17.13kmpl
Average Of City And Highway Fuel Efficiency: 14.96kmpl
Price (MT-equipped variants): Rs 7.99 lakh to Rs 11.79 lakh
The most affordable compact sedan on sale in India, the Skoda Rapid shares its engine and gearbox options with its cousin, the VW Vento. Skoda offers both the 6-speed MT and 6-speed AT gearboxes across all variants. The MT-equipped Rapid is one among the foremost frugal petrol sedans available in India as evident from the tested fuel-efficiency figures.
Maruti S-Presso MT
ARAI Claimed Fuel Efficiency: 21.7kmpl
Tested City Fuel Efficiency: 19.33kmpl
Tested Highway Fuel Efficiency: 21.88kmpl
Average Of City And Highway Fuel Efficiency: 20.60kmpl
Price (MT-equipped variants): Rs 4.75 lakh to Rs 4.99 lakh
While an equivalent data of 2019 had the AMT-equipped version of the Maruti S-Presso at the highest spot, it’s the S-Presso with the manual transmission that tops the chart because the most frugal petrol car of 2020. The S-Presso MT offers the simplest fuel efficiency in both city and highway driving conditions with a mean mileage of 20.60kmpl.
The fuel efficiency of a car is majorly hooked in to the driving style, the health of the car and therefore the driving environment. Hence, these numbers could easily change if any of those factors are affected. If you own any of the cars from the above table, don’t forget to allow us to know the fuel efficiency you derive from your vehicle within the comments below.